Door Emporium FAQs
1. What are solid doors and hollow doors?
Doors that have a solid wood core are generally preferable over hollow core doors. Also, a higher end door is more often than not a solid one. Solid wood doors have more soundproof qualities compared to hollow ones. They also offer better protection, privacy, and less noise.
Hollow doors may be light, but they allow more sound to filter through. Compared to hollow doors, solid doors are sturdier and offer better protection for homes and against different weather conditions.
2. What is the difference between an Engineered and a Solid Rail door?
Stile and Rail doors are panel doors built with a frame. The Stiles are the Vertical Boards on the 2 sides of the door. The rails are the horizontal boards found at the top, bottom, and middle of the door to form panels.
Engineered doors can be made one of two ways. One are those that are made with wood veneers over a substitute wood core, such as particleboard or other more affordable core material. Two are those that are made with a Solid wood interior made of the same wood as the door with a Solid ¼” face on each side. This type of construction helps reduce any warping and is just as Solid as a Solid Rail Solid Stile construction. This is the way Door Emporium’s Brazillian Mahogany doors are produced. Solid Rail Solid Stile doors have rails and stiles that are made out of one piece of sSolid wood. A door’s frame can also come in both Engineered and Solid. The main points with which these two differ and are considered by customers include cost, sound proofing, weight, fire resistance, and environment friendliness.
3. How do I measure a door?
There are several ways to measure a door depending on circumstances:
- To replace an existing door: if the existing door has not warped or become swollen over time or with the elements, simply measure the width, height, and thickness of the door in at least three places for each to be accurate.
- To order a door for an existing frame: measure the existing frame for width, height, and thickness in at least three places for each for accuracy. For the height, subtract a total of 6mm to ensure proper clearance upon installation.
- To order a new door with a new frame (prehung): determining the size of the door and frame requires accurate measurement of the aperture, or the opening where the door goes into. Assuming the aperture is already finished (plastered or cemented) you can measure its length and width and have the door retailer adjust according to the specifications.
4. What are some door maintenance methods I can use?
Wood door maintenance can be quite simple provided it’s done regularly to alleviate general wear and tear. To keep the hinges working properly and from getting creaky, lubricate them every six months or so. Check hinge screws for tightness and adjust accordingly.
Entryway doors that are directly exposed to sunlight and rain can and will warp and weather faster than those that are covered by porch roofs or canopies. There are finishing kits for wooden doors available for purchasing, but an annual DIY maintenance can also prove to be as effective. With a VERY light damp cloth rinse off and wipe down the door’s surfaces after a heavy rain, as pollutants in both the air and water are likely to be acidic and ruin the wood finish. To protect the door further from sun and water damage, it is ideal to lightly sand the surface with very fine sandpaper every 12 months or so. Wipe down the entire door with a clean rag that has a bit of turpentine on it. Wait to dry, and then apply a couple of coats of polyurethane all over the surface, especially on any cracks to seal them from possible water damage.
5. What is “caming”?
Cames are the pieces of metal, which are used for holding glass panels in doors and windows. They are noticeable in frosted or stained glass panels in wooden doors, and are usually made of brass or aluminium. They usually come in 3 colors-black,brass, and zinc.
6. What is the difference between a door that is prehung and a door that is not prehung?
A prehung door comes already installed with its own frame. A door that is not prehung is also called a slab door, with no hardware or hinges. A slab door is usually chosen when the entryway already has an existing frame.
For an entryway with a warped frame or one that needs replacing, or to achieve a totally new look to go with a remodelling project, a prehung door is the better option. They are also usually pre-weathered especially for outdoor entryways.
7. How are the single and double doors shipped?
Door Emporium’s single doors are shipped in their frames, already fully assembled. All double doors are shipped prehung; knockdown (they're fully preassembled first to make sure that they fit perfectly, and then are disassembled for shipping). Some other companies opt to pre-fit the frame and the doors, however this could end up having the door and frame not fitting perfectly together as they can be 1/8 to ¼ inch off.
8. What is the difference between an in-swing door and an out-swing door?
In-swing doors are much popular in the door retail industry especially for residences. The way they are installed guarantee security because the screws and pins to the hinges are on the other side of the door. In-swing doors are pushed away from the person when opened, into the room to be entered. They can be pushed either to the left or the right, depending on the placement of the hinges.
Out-swing doors can be opened by pulling the door towards the person entering the room. Their hinges are more exposed compared to in-swing doors. However, all out-swing doors from Door Emporium feature a non-removable pin (NRP) to ensure safety and security for all residences.
9. What is an FSC certified door?
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council which was founded in 1993 to help promote responsible management of forests all over the world. Many wooden doors from Door Emporium are made from Brazilian mahogany, which address socially and environmentally responsible forestry with each of our product. For more information on the FSC, click on http://www.fsc.org/.
10. What are other eco-friendly door options from Door Emporium?
Apart from the FSC-certified wooden doors, Door Emporium also offers doors made from bamboo. It is a superior choice of material not only because of its unique natural finish, but also for its earth friendly quality. Bamboo is a grass that grows to a height of 100 ft in about 3 to 5 years. Having the ability to naturally replenish itself at a very fast pace means there is no need for replanting. Additionally, bamboo is 16% harder than Maple and 1/3 lighter than Oak.